6 Hair-Care Myths You Need to Stop Believing

 

Think you know all about hair care? Okay, you might know a lot. But there is a ton of fake news out there about what makes your hair the healthiest and looking its best. Don't fall for 'em. Below, we've rounded up some of the six most common misconceptions about your crown of glory. You may be surprised by what you find!

Cutting your hair makes it grow faster.

"This is a myth and there is no science behind this theory," states hair surgeon Ken L. Williams Jr., founder of Orange County Hair Restoration in Irvine, California, and author of Hair Transplant 360: Follicular Unit Extraction. It comes down to the physiology of the hair growth cycle. "Cutting the hair shaft itself has nothing to do with the hair follicle that is located within the skin or the dermis," he explains. While trimming your strands will make unhealthy ends disappear, it won't encourage your hair to grow at a faster rate.

Washing your hair with cold water makes it shinier.

Well, the good news is you can stop torturing yourself with cold showers. "The temperature of the water has nothing to do with whether the scalp or hair is clean, or the appearance of the hair," says Williams. "You're getting a stimulatory effect [with the cold water — it certainly wakes you up — but that's all it's going to do." However, he states that conditioning the hair can affect its luster and help pump up the shine. Try Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Conditioner to keep your hair shiny and moisturized.

Coloring your hair will only damage it.

"There's a half-truth behind this one," says Williams. It has been recorded in medical journals that people who have used strong dyes have actually burned their scalp. "So it totally depends on the chemical, the dye, and the manufacturer you're using," continues Williams. In other words, every scalp is unique, so results will vary.

Split ends can be repaired.

New York City dermatologist Francesca J. Fusco, who consults for Unilever, notes that split ends are equal opportunity offenders, and when left untreated, hair becomes dull, dry, and tangled. "Split ends cannot be repaired once a split occurs and cannot be resealed or closed," she states. The reason: A split end is caused when the protective outer layer of your hair, the cuticle, is damaged. "The best treatment is to get regular haircuts trimming the ends,"' adds Fusco. They can't be resealed, but if you want to give them some extra TLC, use the Oribe Split End Seal which helps restore your hair.

Dry shampoo is better than washing your hair with regular shampoo.

Dry shampoo can be misleading since it doesn't actually clean your hair. Fusco explains that the scalp needs to be hydrated and washed with shampoo. It also needs to be rinsed. "It is fine to use dry shampoo in a pinch, but nothing replaces...water and wet shampoo," she concludes. Try using the Best of Beauty-winning L'Oreal Paris Extraordinary Clay Rebalancing Shampoo for purified and hydrated roots.

Fine hair shouldn't be conditioned.

"This is false — both hair and scalp need to be conditioned!" states Fusco. "Proper shampooing and conditioning nourish the scalp, allowing healthy beautiful hair to grow and also helps to condition the hair." She advises people of all hair types to look for a shampoo and conditioner that is formulated specifically for both hair and scalp, such as Dove DermaCare Scalp Pure Daily Care.